Terpolymer – a copolymer comprising three different monomer repeat units, e.g., poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene). Star polymer – a polymer in which three or more linear polymer chains radiate from a central, multifunctional moiety to which they are all chemically attached, either by coupling or by being grown from that moiety in the polymerization step. Random copolymer – a polymer comprising more than one type of repeat unit, chemically linked in as arbitrary sequence. Can have more than one type of repeat unit. Polymer – a macromolecule consisting of at least around 100 chemically bonded repeat units. Oligomer – a small macromolecule consisting of around 10 to 100 chemically bonded monomer repeat units. Monomer – a molecule that can be polymerized to form a polymer. Linear polymer – a polymer that is a single continuous chain of chemically linked monomer repeat units without any branching, e.g., polystyrene. Homopolymer – a polymer made of only one type of monomer repeat unit, e.g., poly(methyl methacrylate). Graft copolymer – a branched polymer in which the branches have a different chemistry than the main chain, e.g., poly(L-lysine)-g-poly(ethyleneoxide). ArchitectureĪlternating copolymer – a polymer comprising only two types of repeat unit chemically linked in an alternating sequence.īlock copolymer – a polymer comprising more than one type of monomer repeat unit, in which each type of monomer is found in a homopolymerized “block” within the polymer chain, e.g., poly(ethyleneoxide-b-propyleneoxide) (PEO-PPO, Pluronic™).īranched polymer – a polymer molecule comprising a linear polymer backbone with one or more substituent side chains (branches) of similar chemistry, e.g., low density polyethylene.Ĭopolymer – a polymer comprising more than one type of repeat unit, e.g., poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA).Ĭyclic polymer (ring polymer) – a polymer that is a continuous chain of chemically linked monomer repeat units joined at the ends to form a ring, e.g., cyclodextrin (strictly a cyclic oligomer).ĭendritic polymer – a highly structured spherical polymer grown in successive generations from a central “core” moiety, in which every monomer in a generation contains a branch point and allows the attachment of more than one repeat unit in the next generation, e.g., poly(propylene imine). This glossary is designed to be a reference guide for better understanding of the terms used in the polymer field, specifically related to pharmaceuticals. The polymer may even be the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) such as DNA, RNA, insulin, etc. Polymers are used widely in the pharmaceutical industry as excipients such as binders, stabilizers, rheology modifiers, adhesives, film-formers, etc. Implantable Drug Delivery Systems and Combination Products.Stability Indicating Method Development.Analytical Method Development and Validation.Solubility & Bioavailability Enhancement.

Pulpmotion generic terminology